Dawnya00

Good morning!

I am curious if non-Princess guests can book a room at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge?

We are going to be spending a few says in Kenai after a northbound cruise (NCL Jewel) next summer.

If able, does anyone know when they open up their reservations for 2020?

Thanks so much!

This discussion is great! I am booked on the Jewel, northbound for July 2020 and we currently have a balcony cabin. We are also planning a DIY land tour afterwards.

It's funny, I watched a popular cruise YouTube channel and the host stated that having a balcony was one mistake they made, in that they were mainly in the common areas for the majority of the cruise or in the ports. That has been bugging me since everywhere else I read that it is ideal, if you can, to have a balcony. I have been on the fence about my decision but this is helping me be happy for the option. I love balcony cabins in the Caribbean.

I would inform Guest Services, sooner than later, just to get attention on it.

Is this normal for HAL cruises...I am seeing that the final payment is due Feb 9, 2019 for a July 2020 cruise, or is this due to the $1 deposit. HAL newbie.

Great review! Brief but hitting all the parts I like to see. We are boarding next month and can't wait!

12 minutes ago, Erwina said:

Our upgrade bid for the Breakaway on 1/27 was accepted yesterday. We went from family balcony to spa minisuite for $155 per person. Future hubby is pretty disappointed that one of our haven bids didn’t get accepted. We had bid well above the minimum for the aft penthouse and spa balcony rooms.  Can’t wait for our honeymoon cruise! 😁

Congrats! Will you share your nonsuccessful aft penthouse bid? 

36 minutes ago, sargemrs said:

I'm curious, no one has mentioned the Haven Restaurant, so are they not open the first night (we're in the Haven on our next cruise....1st time)  just wondering?

I am currently bidding on a Haven suite for our cruise next month, and have never been, but if I do win, I will likely keep my Cagney reservation for the 1st night. The Haven menu never changes so that could be why some people plan to visit it in later nights.

Mine would be the Sky. My DH does not like buffet  so the limited dining options was a negative for him/us.

This is the first cruise we are starting with dinner in a specialty restaurant the first night and the first time in Cagney's, which is crazy. We always close the cruise with Teppanyaki, at that point, I am wearing the most comfortable dress and have no issues eating all the rice, noodles and meat I want! LOL

STOP.THE.PRESSES!!

There is a hotdog cart on the Breakaway! I am sailing next month. I joke with my family that I could eat a gas station hotdog everyday, no lie.

Are they any good?

Thank you Jamie! I agree and wish they would change. I will likely still go in for a Marg.

On our last cruise, my then 14 year old son LOVED the teen club and all the kids from around the world that were there. He is now a Freshman in college and won't be joining us this time. I fondly remember my son running up to us in the scavenger hunt asking for tips! LOL

I am hoping my 13 yo daughter will do the same. She loved the 10-12 year old room that she was part of in the above mentioned cruise.

49 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

See post #3

But the description on NCL and in the OP say Items on the menu are individually priced. Post #3 says flat rate.

I guess in my M-F job, I am a training specialist and try to make things simple. NCL needs to review how they are describing this dining option, as it doesn't make any sense to me.

I am going back to the OP post and Bird's reply. Is it $14.99 PLUS whatever item(s) you order from the menu or is it $14.99 as a flat cover and you get what you want?

I don't understand the description that states items are individually priced but people are posting like it is just $14.99 as a flat rate.

20 hours ago, oldsouthcruisingfamily said:

We aren't sailing until February 17. Is your sailing after that? If so, we could scan and send once we return... we have a 13-year-old who will be in the Entourage Teen Club for the first time during that sailing...

 

Until then, hopefully someone else will post (because we'd love to see that in advance too!)

We are on the same cruise and will also have a 13 yo in the teen club for the first time! I never thought to look for teen dailies.

Heading on my 5th NCL cruise in about 30 days and I have never had a crepe. I'll remedy that for sure!

I am interested as well. You don't hear too many reviews on the NCL board that provide the land/sea tours.

Pretzel rolls.

I am thinking I need to discover the crepe station though.

My kids favorite late night routine when the kids club closed around 10:30pm was to go through the buffet and get their piping hot French fries, and soft serve. I would pick up a nightcap of Baileys and head to the cabin.

We like the wings at O'Sheehans for that post dance club munchie fix.

I figured this would be the best board at ask this question. If a bid is won and it results in a Haven stay, how does the information below work out? This is taken from the NCL FAQ. I see the asterisk next to Suite and the corresponding clarification that the suite had to be booked at the Full Fare price, but I don't see what the details are for a Haven. Does anyone know if you would earn the additional Latitudes points if you win a Haven bid? 

• Earn 1 additional point per night for booking in a Suite* or in The Haven.
• Earn 1 additional point per night when booking a Latitudes Rewards Insider Offer.

*Full fare suites booked when reservation was originally made. Does not include mini-suites.

9 hours ago, Kikitops said:

Thought I would chime in for those who like to speculate as to the bidding process and how it is calculated, since I am a bit of an outlier go the norm I would think. I have cruised before but only once, and not with NCL. I booked my "free" cruise with standard stateroom via a game/app casino program, not really through NCLs casino program. My host within that game (again, not NCL) comped me the taxes, port fees, admin fees, the drink package, the gratuities for the drink package, and the travel insurance. She also helped vet me uograde from standard inside to a midship balcony. 

 

Now at this point I booked through an am outside casino program and haven't actually spent a single cent of money on this cruise. A few days after my booking was made I did get an email offering me the chance bid on upgrades to suite and haven level rooms. I bid the absolute minimum on the penthouse suite, the family suite, the haven penthouse suite, and the haven two family villa. Minimum possible bid on all (something like $500 for the suites and $1000 for the Haven were minimums). My bid never budged from the poor range. 

 

I said this Saturday and on Monday was when my bids turned from all pending to expired with one bid showing as processing. A couple hours later I got the confirmation and my room #. I won my bid for the Haven two bedroom family villa. 

 

Despite the fact that I have no devising history with NCL, didn't actually spend any of my own, money on s thing except the bidding. I didn't have anything booked in terms of dining or excursions, and money outside of the whim of bidding. The only items besides the uograde being paid were comped o me through another program. 

 

I myself don't have any conclusions. I just wondered how my own details would tie into the bidding speculation since it largely seems like people feel it is based off of spending and past activity and spending with NCL, etc. Someone without any spending history with NCL, not even spending money to book a room or uograde to balcony. Does big but bids the minimum allowed. And wins the most expensive Haven suite she bid on. 

 

I am by NO means complaining, mind you! i booked the trip as a christmas gift for my saint of a hardworking mother who spends her life working night shift at a hospital and hasnt take a vacation for over a decade. I am doing everything I can to pamper and spoil my mama in every way I can find. Of course the surprise of winning the haven uograde bid means there went all of my money😂 I guess the specialty dining and massage we will have to manage without lol 

If Karma carried any weight in winning a bid, you def got it. What a terrific gift you are giving you mom. Have a blast!

I am loving your blog! We are bringing our own Natalee on the BA in February. Your photo and the caption of 'Cruising through life together, one port at a time' got me  How sweet! I will have to recreate that photo also.

We did the Getaway, the sister ship to the Breakaway two weeks after her launch in 2014 with our two kids, 9 and 14 at the time, and we could not get them away from the kids club. They had a blast. We are heading on the Breakaway in 80 days  and are hoping to have the same experience.

Awesome! I don't know why I didn't see this. I emailed my PCC and found she was out of the country and her backup wasn't answering so I called NCL and got it added. It lowered the price about $46 bucks. She said the unlimited WIFI fell off, but that is fine. We don't use it anyway.

Thanks everyone. I went with the 'book for 4 option' and will cancel as soon as we check in or board; that said, if anyone wants to join us in that extra seat!

I am also going to change my reservation for Cagney's to make it for 4 as the late 9:00pm doesn't work for us.

Dawnya